Hello, i have been brewing espresso for a while but haven't really expanded my palate outside of two espressos; Intelligentsia, and metropolis. Living in chicago these are the two coffees that i can get fresh roasted easily, and they are both very good. I am looking for something new to try, but am overwhelmed by the options. Preferably something with a different flavor profile than Intelle or metro, which i think are similar in ways. I suppose i am looking at mail ordering some coffee.

This List of our favorite Roasters might be a good start.

Klatch Coffee, Ecco Cafe, Terroir Coffee, and Counter Culture would be where I'd start. They're all quite different from each other, yet they are all phenomenal Artisans. Klatch Coffee has been a long time favorite of mine... Ecco's offerings are wonderful, and Ive yet to have one I didn't love... Counter Culture's coffee is simply great coffee, and their blends go from light and sweet, to dark and rich(but not dark meaning ruined). And Terroir.. well.. Im using Terroir's coffee at the moment, and I am seriously impressed.

Ecco-1lb bags, the rest are 12oz'ers. Terroir and CC have shipping deals, Ecco Ships Cross-Country for the price of regular shipping, and Klatch offers USPS Priority, and quite often does free shipping.

My suggestions from each:
Klatch- WBC Espresso and Belle Espresso
Ecco- Organic Espresso and any of the Single Origin Espresso's(All Brazils, all awesome)
CC- Rustico and Aficionado
Terroir- Daterra North and South, OR, "GHH Select"-Espresso AsorCafe

The last two threads are dated, but here are some prior discussions of the same topic:

• Forgiving espresso blends for the beginner
• Three good beginner espressos please
• Forgiving beginner's coffees?

If you're looking for espresso blends with a large forgiveness factor, I nominate Caffe Fresco.